You are in the western mountains where the water is hot and the peaks are high. The Kyustendil province is the best starting point for a trip to the Seven Rila Lakes. You can drive your car to the chairlift station and ride up to the high alpine meadows. From there a trail leads you past glacial lakes with names like The Eye and The Kidney. The water is so clear you can see the bottom even at the deepest points. It is the most famous mountain destination in the country for a reason.
Head back down to the town of Sapareva Banya to see the only active geyser in continental Europe. You can see the hot water shooting high into the air right in the center of the town park. The water is over one hundred degrees Celsius and carries a strong smell of minerals. This area is a major spa center where you can park and relax in one of the many thermal pools. The heat from the earth has been used for healing here since the time of the Roman Empire.
Finish your trip by visiting the city of Kyustendil at the foot of the Osogovo mountains. The city is famous for its thermal baths and the ancient Hisarlaka fortress that overlooks the valley. You can walk through the fortress park and see the old stone walls that protected the city for centuries. The region is also known as the fruit garden of the country especially for its sweet cherries in early summer. It is a land of healing water and mountain fresh air that is easy to reach by car.
Kyustendil (province) highlights
- Seven Rila Lakes link together as a chain of glacial pools reached by a chair lift high in the peaks. Hike between the water basins to see the famous view of The Eye and The Kidney from the ridge. Experience the most iconic mountain landscape in the country while walking through the high grass.
- Sapareva Banya Geyser shoots hot mineral water high into the air from a park in the middle of the city. Smell the minerals in the steam and watch the only active geyser found in the whole of Europe. View a natural wonder that proves the great heat hidden deep under the mountain roots.
- Skakavitsa Waterfall drops over a high cliff in the oldest national park surrounded by very tall trees. Walk the forest path to see the water freeze into a giant wall of blue ice during the winter. Breathe the fresh air while listening to the sound of the stream flowing through the quiet woods.
- Hisarlaka Fortress guards the hill with ancient walls that offer a view of the famous local cherry orchards. Walk through the forest park to see the towers that once protected the people in the valley. Enjoy a walk in the shade while looking at the city and the green hills from the ruins.
- Osogovo Peaks rise as gentle green mountains with roads that lead to the border of the country. Drive through this quiet area to find spots for berries and fresh air among the high peaks. Stay in a mountain hut to eat local food and enjoy the silence of the high forest.
- Panichishte Resort serves as a high forest base for hikers and a great place to park the car. Find many mountain lakes nearby and enjoy the shade of the thick pine woods on the slopes. Use this area as the main gate for those who want to reach the highest mountain peaks.
- Polska Skakavitsa falls over a mossy cliff near a quiet train track as a unique and hidden waterfall. Visit this secret gem to see the water drop in many ribbons among the lush green plants. Listen to the soft sound of the falls in a place that feels very peaceful and untouched.
- Kyustendil Baths occupy old thermal buildings where hot water has been used for healing for many years. See the ancient Roman style of the pools and feel the heat of the earth in the water. Visit a city famous for its health spas and the sweet taste of its local mountain fruit.
- Resilovo Monastery stands as a bright and colorful cloister at the foot of the highest mountain peaks. Stop at this peaceful place to see the large courtyard and the beautiful flower beds in the garden. View the white walls of the monastery which look very striking against the green mountain peaks.
- Stob Pyramids glow during the day as tall earth cones located on the way to the high mountains. Follow the trail to the top for a view of the river and the green valley far below you. See how these shapes made of soft sand and earth change after every big rain in the hills.
The local Four
History of Kyustendil (province)
Kyustendil is the City of Emperors. Known to the Romans as Pautalia, its 80 degree mineral springs made it one of the empire premier spa destinations. The Asclepion of Pautalia, one of the largest ancient healing temples in the Balkans, drew wounded soldiers and noblemen for centuries. The province remained a strategic center through the Middle Ages, as seen in the Hisarlaka Fortress, which guards the town from the hills above.
The province spiritual history is anchored by the Seven Rila Lakes and the high altitude landscapes of the Rila Mountains. This was the home of St. John of Rila, the nation patron saint. The region is also the Orchard of Bulgaria, famous for its cherry festivals; the history of the land is tied to the fertile soil that has fed the region since the Thracians first began cultivating the valley 3,000 years ago.
For travelers, the Sapareva Banya Geyser the hottest in Europe is a must see, shooting boiling water 18 meters into the air. A road trip through the Osogovo Mountains leads to remote monasteries and silver mines that have been worked since the Middle Ages. From the Roman mosaics in the city center to the alpine silence of the high peaks, Kyustendil is a province defined by the twin powers of earth and water.